I’m so excited to share this 3 ingredient dressing! Your search is over…This is the most amazing, easy-to-make, gluten-free, skinny ranch dressing!!! It tastes just as good as any high-fat dressing but with a fraction of the fat and calories. In the past, I’ve shared my skinny ranch dressing recipe but it called for many dry ingredients. In addition, you needed xanthan gum to thicken it. I got back in the kitchen and created a new, easier, and much skinnier recipe. Each 2 tablespoons serving has just 30 calories, 2 grams of fat. So delicious as a dressing, dip, topping for potatoes, and more. The possibilities are endless. I always have some on hand in my refrigerator. It’s a must-try!!!
Why You’ll Love The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing
With only three ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for busy schedules. But the true magic lies in the taste. It offers the same delicious ranch flavor you know and love, minus the guilt. Each bite is light, tangy, and creamy, making it a perfect dip for veggies, a dressing for salads, or even a topping for baked potatoes.So, if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make ranch dressing, this recipe is definitely worth trying. It’s a guilt-free way to satisfy your ranch cravings and add a burst of flavor to your meals!
Ingredients for The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing
This recipe’s beauty lies in its simplicity, but each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering delicious, low-calorie ranch flavor. Let’s explore them in detail:
- 1¾ cups buttermilk:
- Key function: Adds tanginess, creaminess, and a protein boost!
- Why buttermilk? Compared to heavy cream or sour cream, buttermilk offers a lighter option with lower fat content and a subtle tang that complements the savory ranch flavor. It also contributes to the signature creamy texture.
- Nutritional benefits: Buttermilk is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B12, making it a more nutritious choice than full-fat alternatives.
- ½ cup Best Foods (Hellmans) light mayonnaise:
- Key function: Lightens the texture while providing essential creaminess.
- Why light mayonnaise? Unlike regular mayonnaise, light mayo features reduced fat content, making it a guilt-free way to achieve the desired creamy texture in the dressing.
- Nutritional benefits: While still containing fat, light mayo typically uses healthier oils like soybean or canola oil compared to full-fat options.
- 1 oz package Hidden Valley Ranch Original Ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix:
- Key function: Delivers the iconic ranch flavor profile we all know and love.
- Why this specific mix? This option avoids the “buttermilk ranch” mixes, which might clash with the tanginess already provided by the buttermilk. This original mix balances savory herbs and spices to create the classic ranch taste.
- Ingredient breakdown: The mix likely contains dried onion, garlic, dill, parsley, chives, and black pepper, among other spices. This combination creates the unique and beloved ranch flavor.
By combining these three simple ingredients, you get a delicious and healthy ranch dressing with lower fat content compared to traditional options. The buttermilk adds tang and protein, light mayo lightens the texture, and the seasoning mix delivers the iconic ranch flavor. It’s a quick and easy recipe that fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste.
How to Make The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing
Gather your ingredients:
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup Best Foods (Hellmans) light mayonnaise
- 1 oz package Hidden Valley Ranch Original Ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Refrigerator or freezer (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the magic: In your medium bowl, whisk together all three ingredients – the buttermilk, light mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning mix. Make sure everything is well combined and there are no clumps.
- Let the flavors meld: This is where patience comes in! Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken up nicely. Trust the process, the wait will be worth it!
- Shortcut to thickness (optional): If you’re short on time and need the dressing in a hurry, pop it in the freezer instead of the fridge. Set a timer for 15 minutes and then whisk it again. Boom, instant thicker dressing!
- Serve and enjoy: Once the dressing has reached your desired consistency, it’s ready to add some deliciousness to your meals. Use it as a dip for veggies, a dressing for salads, or even a topping for baked potatoes. Get creative!
Storage:
- Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for at least 2-3 weeks, but keep an eye on the expiration date of your buttermilk, as that will ultimately determine the shelf life.
Tips:
- Feel free to experiment with different brands of light mayonnaise based on your preferences.
- You can adjust the ratio of buttermilk to light mayo slightly to find your perfect balance of tang and creaminess.
- This recipe is easily doubled or tripled if you need a larger batch.
- Want to add a spicy kick? Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mix.
- For a bit of sweetness, a drizzle of honey or agave nectar can do the trick.
With these simple steps and tips, you’re well on your way to enjoying a delicious and healthy ranch dressing that won’t weigh you down. Remember, sometimes the best things come in threes!
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
The original ranch dressing was created in the 1950s by Steve and Gayle Henson at their dude ranch near Santa Barbara, California. It was called the Hidden Valley Guest Ranch. Today ranch dressing dominates the dressing aisle of the supermarket. And it’s gluten-free!
Buttermilk, in the old days, was the liquid left over after butter was churned. Today it’s nonfat or reduced-fat milk that has been treated with special bacteria which causes the milk to thicken and gain a tangy flavor.
Shopping Tips
Best Foods Light Mayonnaise (Hellmans) is the only brand I recommend. I’ve tried several different brands and Best Foods Mayonnaise is the best tasting for this recipe! Best Foods Canola Mayonnaise also tastes great for this recipe.
Healthy Benefits
This dressing contains a lot of buttermilk, which, despite its name, contains very little fat. It is loaded with bone-building calcium and has a great deal of vitamin-B, which facilitates nerve function and promotes healthy skin and good vision. Buttermilk, even if the container doesn’t say it is low fat.
How Long it Keeps
This dressing will last as long as the buttermilk you buy. I always buy the longest date (longest life or best buy) when at the supermarket. Reach to the back of the row. Most buttermilk’s life is for 2-3 weeks.
*Be sure to use a package of Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix. It’s a 1 oz pkg. Do not use the Buttermilk package. It’s much smaller than 1 oz. The dressing won’t end up be thick enough or flavorful enough!
I love using these reusable deli containers to store this dressing.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 1-Blue
WW SmartPoints 1-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 2 tablespoons of skinny ranch dressing 30 calories, 1.8g fat, 0.3g sat. fat, 2mg chol, 1g protein, 3g carbs, 0g fiber, 208mg sod, 1g sugar |
| FACTS: for 2 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing made with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk 140 cal, 14g fat, 2g carbs, 1g protein, 0g fiber, 260 mg sodium, 1 g sugar |
